Thursday, March 31, 2016

April is taxing! Best way to
escape? Go fishing – or read a book about fishing! My April giveaway is all
about fish from the humorous essays regarding how to clean, fry and bone a fish
in Gold Pans and Iron Skillets to my children’s book, Gary Learns to Fish. I’m
even including a fish themed bookmark so you can save your place when the
napping bug bites.

3 – Share this post on Twitter or Facebook with the comment “Go Fish!”
and be sure to tag me so I know you entered! (Find Share buttons at the bottom of this post.)

Easy!

The giveaway will run from thru April 18. (Hey, the IRS is giving you a few extra days this year. I
will, too!) The winner will be announced Tuesday, April 19 at noon MDT via Facebook, Twitter, and direct message if I have your contact info. Must be 18 years old to enter. Only ships to mainland
United States.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

This photo was taken two summers ago on the morning of Grand Teton Relay 2014. It had been raining and looked as if we were in for a soggy experience. I have considered sharing it many times, for it seemed to speak to me. However, I wasn't certain of its message. If you look closely, you will see that the sun's rays are reaching up. It wasn't just peeking through the clouds, but rising above them.

That's just something to think about as you strive to rise above the clouds in your life.

Have a Hopeful Day!P.S. The weather cleared and we had a beautiful experience!

Friday, March 25, 2016

Summer is fast approaching and you know what that means.
More traveling. Family reunions, summer camps, business seminars and family
vacations will take many of us from the comfort and familiarity of our own homes
to some fun, but foreign, places. While travel can be fun, it’s a change and
change can be stressful. Stress can lower your immune system and offer cold and
flu bugs the opportunity for growth. Have you ever been sick on vacation? It isn’t
fun.

What can you do to prevent illness from ruining your trip?

1.Plan ahead. Try to keep your mealtimes and menu
as regular as possible. This is easier if you are driving because you can take
your food with you. Plan for healthy snacks such as dried fruits and nuts
rather than giant bags of chips and prepackaged cookies. If you are flying, take
small snacks in your carryon. Pack something with protein and a little friendly
fiber to keep you full until you can find an affordable healthy meal.

2.Hydrate. It can be tempting to avoid rest stops
and public restrooms by cutting back on your fluids, but the tradeoffs can lead
to fatigue, headaches and sluggishness. Obtain a water bottle that is easy to
find and carry. One that attaches to your bag or belt is recommended. If you
are traveling by air, take an empty water bottle through security and fill it
in a drinking fountain before boarding your plane.

3.Exercise. That’s right. You are on vacation –
not dead. Take an opportunity to explore the beach or mountain trails on foot.
Rent a bike and cruise along the local green belt. Go for a swim and work out
the kinks you earned in that cramped airplane seat. Visit the workout room in
your hotel. Everybody is on vacation – chances are you will have the treadmills
and rowing machines all to yourself!

4.Sleep. Attempt to keep regular sleeping patterns.
This can be challenging if you change time zones. While it’s tempting to spend
late nights catching up with cousins at the family reunion, too many late
nights can lead to fatigue, cause stress and set you up as a target for cold
and flu bugs. Have fun but be wise and don’t let too much fun derail your
wellness plans.

5.Maintain hygiene. Yes, it’s elementary, but it’s
true. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid illness. Can’t wash?
Hand sanitizer is the next best thing and the bottles are small enough to pass
airport security. Make it a habit of washing at every opportunity just to be
safe.

What if you are injured or become ill while away from home?

1.Plan ahead. Know what health care options are
available in the area you are planning to visit. If you are traveling out of
the country, check with your insurance carrier before you go. You’ll want to
know how it covers and how to get reimbursed. Take along a personal first aid
kit so you have the essentials. It should include hand sanitizer, antibiotic
ointment, bandages, a small ice pack if available, ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen,
allergy and cold medicines, as well as any other personal prescriptions. Make
certain you have enough prescription meds to last your entire trip.

2.Hydrate and rest. The same practices that can
help you avoid illness will help you feel better once you become ill.

3.Maintain hygiene. Once you have become infected
you will want to do your best to avoid sharing your illness with others.
Remember, the same practices that help you avoid illness will help you avoid
sharing it. Wash your hands, use tissue rather than handkerchiefs, and even
wear a surgical mask if necessary.

4.Find a physician. If you are staying with
family, chances are they will have a family doctor that will be happy to see
you. What if you don’t know anyone in the area? How will you find a health care
provider with which you can be comfortable? Fortunately, the internet continues
to make the world smaller. This new Find a Doctor
service by Amino, Inc. will help. You can locate a general practitioner before
you go or find a physician quickly once you become ill. It’s fast and easy to
use, quickly sorting physicians by experience with your criteria. Give it a try
so you will be familiar with it when the need arises.

Don’t let illness steal your summer fun. Be prepared for
wellness by taking care of yourself before you travel, preparing to stay
healthy along the way, and knowing how to cope with discomforts if and when
they arise. If you need help, seek a health care provider so you can be get
back to enjoying your travels.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Meet Paulee, a wife, mother, farm girl, artist, and favorite team member of mine! Paulee has an eye for style and enjoys helping others work with the things they already have to make their homes a reflection of themselves. She shares tips on Facebook as Perspective by Paulee.

Judith Taylor
says that designers don’t follow a secret rulebook.There are no hard and fast laws governing
what we do.We are creative types by
nature and love to imagine, dream, and explore, following our intuition.

With that said,
my advice is just to have fun and put in your home only what you love!I have found over the years that making the
space in your home fit your personality is vital to your happiness level,
although we sometimes don’t realize it.

Do you
ever walk into someone’s home and feel comfortable, happy, loved and at peace. You
might wonder why and think, “how can I do this in my home?”

Only put
in your home what you love and what makes you
happy. Keep it clean and organized. One way I try to create this effortless
balance is to incorporate rustic and refined, mixing textures and having a
little fun!

Marie Kondo, the
bestselling author of the 2014 book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” suggests
keeping only what gives you joy! Decorating and refreshing your home will help
you have a more joyful life surrounded by the things you love.

It’s spring and you are probably no different than me in
that you want to spruce things up a bit before getting outside in the yard. There
is no need to break the bank on this one. There are many little things you can
do to accomplish this idea. One of the easiest and fastest ways to do this is
just to move your furniture around. Call a best friend or
a grab a willing husband. Sliders come in handy when doing this task and can be
purchased at your local hardware store. Just put them under the feet of your
furniture and push. You can also do that Spring Cleaning you have wanted to do
while you are at it.

Another
quick and easy thing you can do is rearrange
your counter tops and coffee tables. Counters get cluttered up so easily. Thankfully,
it doesn’t take long to get things looking nice again. Start by clearing
everything off your countertop and replace only the items you use daily. Choose
a few interesting objects that are in storage or from other rooms in the house
and display them, like a wire basket or serving tray propped against the wall.
Bring in some of those beautiful spring flowers and display in a jar or
pitcher.Also inviting friends over always gives you that extra push to get
things just right.

If you want to elevate the feel of your home take my
mothers advice. My mother taught me to always use your best. Don’t wait for a special
occasion to bring out those fabulous dishes hiding in the cupboard or the
glasses that Aunt Shirley gave you for your wedding. It makes you feel really
special. What’s the point of having it if it just sits in a storage most of the
year?

Another
suggestion I have is to have fun with art and family photos. Art doesn’t have to be
fussy or beyond reach. Take the time to look for art wherever you go. Seek out
smaller galleries, student sales and affordable online sources and go with your
gut feeling. You might even be able to make your own. Art makes you happy and
can add personality to your living space and lift your spirits every day. The
same goes for family photos. A simple way to freshen up photos is to swap out frames. You can pick up inexpensive
frames most anywhere. Also change the photos to fit the season. Retire the old
skiing pictures and fill those frames with summer activities and family
vacation photos.

I love listening to music. Music
brings me happiness and peace. This can really add to the feel of a home. Music
stirs emotion and can bring a creative energy to your space so get that play
list going.

Remember
to imagine, dream and
explore, following your own unique, individual style and intuition and have
fun! Of course if
you need any suggestions or help I would love to assist you!

Monday, March 21, 2016

After a busy
weekend I ventured out for a Monday morning run. I was reminded, once again that too many
treats and not enough fluids is a bad idea. The first mile was – hard! After some
self-chastising I settled in and reflected. The truth is – the first mile is
always hard. Every mile is hard.

One might
ask, “If running is so hard, why do you do it?”

There isn’t
one answer, nor are the answers the same for every runner. Some benefits are immediate while others take
months to manifest themselves. Here are a few of the reasons I run.

Flexibility – I’m not talking about
physical flexibility, rather the ability to run whenever and wherever the opportunity
arises. I don’t need a gym. I only need my shoes.

Cognition – My brain seems to work
better after a run. Worldly worries appear less formidable. Perhaps this is because
I feel strong after a run.

Accomplishment – Visualizing a course
can be intimidating, but reviewing a course after pounding out a few miles
creates a sense of triumph! “Hey! Look what I did!”

Community – Runners, like writers, are
supportive of other runners. A runner never sees another runner and thinks, “That
old girl is slow.” A runner sees another runner and thinks, “I wish I was
running right now. Look at that runner! I’m so proud of her. I wonder if that runner needs a running partner. Wow, he’s fast!” And so on …

Have you
thought about running, but need a little motivation to begin? Are you a fellow
runner with reasons of your own to share? Sound off in the comments below. I’m
curious. Tell me why you run or why you want to run. You can even tell me why
you are anxious about beginning running! Let’s talk about it!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

One of my
old running buddies joined me for a 3-mile run recently. Our schedules have
changed and it has been months since we have been able to run together. She was
using a fitness app that came installed on her phone. Holding her phone in her
hand she giggled and said, “If I swing my arms when I walk, it thinks I’m
running.” Not all apps are created equal.

We followed
a three-mile loop that I have measured many times in many ways. I’ve used a
GPS, an odometer, and I’ve plotted it on a map. I know the half mile and mile
markers. Sure enough, her phone was way ahead of us! It is set to alert pace
and distance every mile. At the ¾ mile mark it updated us with a fast pace! At
the end of three miles it was congratulating us on our four-mile run and
reporting a record performance. My app was spot on and our performance was not very impressive. My running buddy threatened to post our times
on social media. I’m glad she didn’t. My
relay team would be expecting so much more from me!

Ways to Avoid Inaccurate Data

Use an Odometer – Set your app to record
a workout and then drive a distance of one mile. Compare the odometer reading
to the distance recorded on the app. Do this a couple of times, but don’t share
the recorded workout on social media!

Take it to the Track - Remember a track
oval is 400 meters. You will need to switch your settings to record kilometers
rather than miles. Four laps should read 1.6 kilometers. Don’t forget to switch
the settings back to miles.

Secure your Device – If the app is
sensitive enough to record arm swinging, you’ll want to secure it to another
part of your body – preferably your waist or hip. Use a running belt or pocket
in your running gear. Even upper arm movement can distort your data.

Don’t be
fooled into believing you are running farther or faster. You’ll only be discouraged
when next you run a 5K or 10K race! The truth is better than fiction. Besides –
your real competition is yourself. Learn how you are doing and then work to
improve.

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed.

Question: Do you have a training tip you would like to share? Post it in the comments below.

Friday, March 11, 2016

I’m in mourning
today as I put to rest my Pampered Chef pizza stone that I have loved and used
for many years! It was a good stone – never burning nor scorching my food. Its
blackened surface fooled many into thinking it was forged from cast iron. It was
well seasoned and oh so serviceable. It shall be missed.

My favorite
things to bake on the stone were biscuits, melted cheese sandwiches, pizza and …
NACHOS! That’s how it met its demise! We’ve been attempting to perfect the at
home nacho creating method. I guess we got a little too enthusiastic about
pre-heating the stone. As I removed the stone from the very hot oven to layer
ingredients upon it, I heard a small pop – ever so faint – and looked around
the kitchen for evidence. Nothing. I completed the assemblage of my almost
perfect nachos and placed the creation in the oven for a few more minutes. I
expected catastrophe at any moment, but nothing happened.

Having
consumed the near perfect nachos, I allowed the stone to cool before removing
it from the table. I gingerly lifted it from the table. That is when I heard a
faint grating sound like bare feet on a dry beach. I bravely grabbed two sides
of the stone and applied outward pressure. It happened! The stone split in two
and I felt a little crack in my heart as it came apart!

That was
three days ago. I still have the pieces. I’m thinking of creating some wall art
from them. It’s just so hard to let it go!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

As a Christian
wife and mother, it is my desire to inspire and encourage you with the richness
of God’s many blessings! I have always loved to write, and on my blog,
LifeBellissima.com, I enjoy sharing a variety of topics that are near and dear
to my heart — family life, homeschooling, organic food/recipes (which of course
includes chocolate!) and our many new adventures in the country with a tabby
cat, several rabbits and seven Rhode Island Red hens!

Ahh, muffins. For me, they rank right up
there with smoothies for breakfast or a tasty treat!

When I was a young girl, my mom would
make toast for me with butter, peanut butter and a sweet swirl of honey on top
— it’s still one of my (and my mom’s) favorite ways to dress up toast. Peanut
butter and honey go very well together, but what could make a muffin even
better?

Add a little chocolate!

I hope you will enjoy these moist and
flavorful muffins! They pair well with tea, coffee, hot chocolate or a tall
glass of milk. Mmm!

Monday, March 7, 2016

I spent the
morning updating my Recipes Page to make it easier to locate the recipes I have
shared on this blog. I had a difficult time letting go of some of the yummy
photos, but now they are much easier to locate. A quick click on the link will
take you to the recipe post and there you will find those yummy photos, too!

It’s no
surprise that my biggest recipe category is DESSERTS! I know, I know! I’m a
runner. Some would suppose that in order to call oneself a runner she must run AND
eat healthy – always. Well, some of us runners also believe in moderation. Just
because I love desserts does not mean I eat poorly – always. I’ll admit, tho, it’s
a good thing that I run.

3 of my Healthy Eating Habits

·I eat breakfast – always.

·I cook at home from scratch - most of the time.

·I grow a garden.

3 of my Poor Eating Habits

·I often put off lunch until my hunger overpowers
my judgement.

·I LOVE a Costco hotdog with sauerkraut and all
the fixings … and a soda.

·I’m a late afternoon snacker.

3 Ways I could Eat Healthier

·Drink more water.

·Plan my snacks

·Eat more veggies – always. Oh, but I love simple
carbs!

While I’m
working on my healthier eating, you can visit my Recipes Page and find some
healthy recipes as well as some of my favorite desserts. Try them! You’ll see why I give in to their
temptations!

Friday, March 4, 2016

For years I've been counseled to pursue lifelong learning. Technology is making that happen everyday! This blog post was composed on my phone. That might not be a big deal to some, but it's new for this granny.

Ironically, I'm reminded of the verse in 2 Timothy when Paul describes the apostasy and perils that will occur in the last days - men shal be "ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth."

My conclusion? Learning is good (even technology) so long as the learner is seeking and focused on the truth.

I’m
starting to feel like a runner again. It was a hard winter. I’m not talking
about the weather. We’ve had much worse. I had trouble making myself get out
the door. Most years I can force myself to run in the snow and even run through
severe weather inversions, but this old lady was too tired, or too lazy, or too
timid to stick to a routine. So I had to start over and that’s okay.

One
problem with starting over is putting up with the loss of fitness that I
experienced through my sedentary goodie filled winter. The first run was only
two miles (with walking breaks) and it was hard! I’m feeling better now and
acting more like a runner.

Here are a
few examples:

I
check the weather each evening before bed to find out what time of day will be
best for my run on the morrow.

The
laundry basket is filling with sweaty workout clothes. I do that laundry first –
not because it smells bad, but because I’m going to need it!

It’s
good to feel like a runner. I feel stronger – not only physically, but mentally
and emotionally as well. Sure, it could be the warmer weather with sunnier
days, or it could be that I am actually running – away from dogs! When friends
say, “You love to run,” my response is usually, “Not really, but Running loves
me, because it makes other parts of my life better.”

Thursday, March 3, 2016

I am
re-sharing two Guest Blogger posts today that you may have missed. Why? They
can help you cure that case of Spring Fever you might be catching. These
creative entrepreneurs are using their talents to beautify and inspire the
lives of others.

Paulee, owner of Perspective by Paulee

Nikki, owner of Bedhead Designs

Paulee
Writes about Decorating for You!Why do I like to
decorate? Is it to Wow? No, it is to create a beautiful space and to
share moments with those I love, my family, and friends. It is to create a
place where traditions are shared, and to bring people together in a
comfortable setting. It is a place where I can feel relaxed and safe.
Decorating is a constant forward motion; it invigorates me and rejuvenates my
spirit. It lets me exercise my creative side and it brings me peace,
happiness and joy. I think this quote says it all."Decoration is
really all about creating a quality of life, and a beauty within that life that
nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful. That’s what all this is
about, not just what’s in and what’s out."

Nikki
Writes about Following Your DreamsSometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage and I
promise you something great will come of it. I love this saying. Once you dream a dream (and
you know it’s a viable dream), how do you start to make it a reality? The first
thing you do is JUST JUMP!! And you must jump in with both feet!
Put your whole heart into it. If YOU don’t believe in it, then who else will?
This goes for anything new you try in life—it takes a massive leap of faith.Speak it into existence. I am really into affirmations. Write down your goals in a place you can see them and then say them out loud daily to help you keep your focus. (any Stuart Smalley fans out there?!) If you can keep your head in the right space, you will be more successful. Share your dream with your family and close friends. They will be excited to hear about the progress you are making. Sharing with them gets you talking, and excitement will flow.Read
the rest of Nikki’s postIf you have a case of Spring Fever coming on the advice of these ladies might help. If you need a nudge of encouragement, reach out to either of them and they will be sure to urge you on!You
can catch up with Paulee and Nikki on Facebook.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

My favorite
kids’ author is none other than Theodor S. Geisel, Dr. Seuss, himself! I love
to read his work aloud. The rhythms are as entertaining as the words in his
writings – and yes, he made up some funny words.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Are you stuck in a
training rut? Do you have trouble feeling motivated to put on your running
shoes and step out of the door? Do your hand weights sit in a corner collecting
dust? Perhaps it is time to change things up – do something new. Whether you
choose a new goal, a different activity, or the same activity in a strange
venue, a little variety can help. Let’s look at a few ways you can create new
interest in old routines.

We’ve talked
about why you should commit
to a 5K or other fitness challenge, but what if you’ve done that and
another 5K feels like just another workout? It’s time to try a themed run or
something a little more challenging like an obstacle course. Can you run your
best time dressed in a Santa suit? Perhaps not, but you might be able to win a
prize for the best costume.

Captain a
team and recruit your friends to run
a relay. This will challenge your physical, mental, and leadership skills.
You’ll have the time of your life and forge relationships that will last a
lifetime.

Go for a
night run. It’s quiet and you can’t really see how far you’ve come or how far
you have to go.

Use an App.
I like MapMyRun. Fitness apps help you track your progress, review your
performance, entertain, and encourage you along the way.

Whether you
need a long term goal or something different to do today, there are no limits
to the creative things you can do to add variety to your workouts. Don’t get
stuck in a training rut. Try something new!

What do you
do to add creativity and interest to your fitness routine?

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed.

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